Installing Solar While Remodeling Your Home

Installing Solar While Remodeling Your Home June 29, 2022 | residential solar panels

Assess Your Needs

If you’ve made the decision to include a solar power system into your home remodeling project- congratulations! You have taken the important first step to upgrade and modernize your home’s electrical system- lowering your utility bills, reducing the carbon footprint of your personal household, and adding to the resale value of your property.

In choosing the size of your system- have a look at the power bills for the previous year. This will help determine the size of the system best suited for your home. The average household in the US consumes approximately 10,000 kilowatt-hours (kwh) per year. Most residential solar systems run in the 3 kwh to 10 kwh range. A 3 kwh system can generate a range of 3,600 to 4,900 kwh annually, a 5 kwh system from 6,000 to 8,000, and a 10 kwh system is good for 12,000 to 16,000 kwh in a year of service.

Is Your Property Suited for Solar?

There are things to consider when planning for your remodeling project with solar panels in VA Beach. First, identify the orientation of your home in respect to the sun. Your roof should be able to have as much unobstructed sunlight as possible. Objects such as vents, dormers, skylights and chimneys can break up the surface area available for an array of solar panels. Before installation, have a professional contractor assess the condition of your roof and support structures.

Your Electrical System, Backflow, and the 120% Rule

The electrical system in a standard household that is supplied by a power utility handles a significant amount of energy. Adding a solar system introduces a couple of additional steps and some specific equipment to the process. First make sure that your electrical panel can handle the additional load. If you are considering a solar system that is connected to your local power grid, you will require specialized equipment that monitors “backflow”. While most electrical utilities were initially designed for the one-way flow of power (from the plant to your home), many areas are allowing for the power being generated by residential solar systems to be returned to the local grid. (Your system should also control accidental backflow- which is power being unintentionally returned to the solar panels themselves.)

When designing your solar system and control panel, make certain that your system follows the “120% Rule”. This is an important safety consideration that stipulates that you cannot have more than 120% of the service load (measured in amperage) running through your electrical system. A quality solar power professional will be able to design an appropriately-rated system and secure the permits for residential solar panel systems in Virginia Beach, VA.

Additional Steps for Maximizing Your Home’s Electrical Efficiency

Your remodel may provide the perfect opportunity to improve your home’s overall energy efficiency. Installing double-pane windows, replacing ill-fitting doors, increasing the R-rating of the insulation, and replacing existing appliances with more efficient Energy Star devices will reduce your electrical usage, and allow your solar system to help you realize net-zero electrical usage.

Find a Professional Solar Installation Contractor

There’s more to the installation of a residential solar system than dropping panels onto your roof when you’re installing home solar panels in Virginia Beach, VA. Contact Expert Solar Pros for your Solar Installation project (757) 988-7777.